The Coalition compound smelled of burned wood scorched stone and fading magic. Smoke still drifted from the collapsed outer gate where the Silver Courts siege constructs had rammed until their limbs shattered. Workers rushed to stabilize the walls while guards dragged injured comrades to the infirmary. The air felt heavy not with fear but with the weight of survival. Logan Mercer walked through the compound slow and silent taking in every broken surface and damaged structure.

Thalen Voss followed him. His usual composed posture was slightly shaken but his voice stayed firm. The Silver Courts underestimated us. They expected a clean strike. They did not expect you.

Logan exhaled. They will not underestimate again.

Mira walked beside Logan brushing dust from her hair. She wiped blood from her cheek with the back of her hand. None of it hers. They targeted your forge directly Logan. They knew where to hit.

Renn stumbled after them clutching a wooden box full of low grade cores. His eyes were wide with exhaustion. They were strong. Too strong. If we had arrived twenty minutes later the forge would be gone.

Logan slowed near the forge entrance. He placed his hand on the warm stone wall. The building stood firm but several cracks ran along the sides from the magical impacts. Tools lay scattered across the floor inside. The metal rack near the center was bent. A crossbow prototype lay cracked in half.

Seeing that hurt more than he expected. A forge was not just a workplace. It was identity. Purpose. And the Silver Courts tried to destroy it.

He walked inside examining the damage. Mira joined him picking up shattered pieces. Renn began separating stable cores from unstable ones.

Thalen stayed near the doorway. I have spoken with the Council. Reinforcements are already arriving from three allied merchant guilds. We will rebuild these walls with fortified beams and triple layered stone. Your forge will not fall again.

Logan touched the cracked prototype. I need stronger anchors. Stronger doors. The forge must be able to withstand siege magic and physical breach attempts.

Thalen nodded. Then we will give you whatever materials you require.

Mira crouched near a cracked workbench. Logan we should rebuild the internal supports with beastbone composites. They handle vibration and magic waves better than metal alone.

Renn added. And I can stabilize core chambers with dual runes. It reduces overload shock by thirty percent.

Logan felt a flicker of pride. They were no longer just his assistants. They were becoming part of a team. A team that understood him and understood what was coming.

He stood. We reinforce everything. Then we begin building again.

Thalen gave a faint smile. You lost nothing today Logan. You gained loyalty. And reputation. The realm will hear of this battle. They will know the Coalition stood strong. And they will know you fought beside us.

Logan frowned. That might not be good. It will draw more enemies.

Thalen shook his head. It will draw more allies. There are factions who fear the Silver Courts and will look to you for strength.

Logan walked outside again. The sky had darkened slightly from drifting smoke. Coalition banners had been lowered to half mast for those who died defending the compound. Logan felt a heavy responsibility settling over him. The Silver Courts attack was not an isolated strike. It was the beginning of a long conflict.

Mira joined him. What is the plan Logan

He paused then answered. We need to build weapons faster and smarter. If the Silver Courts want to wage war with magic then we meet them with innovation.

Thalen raised an eyebrow. Innovation This sounds like you have something specific in mind.

Logan nodded. I do. I want to create a new line of weapons. Not replicas. Not upgrades. Something built specifically for countering magic.

Renn perked up. Magic counter weapons You mean spell disrupting gear

Logan nodded again. Exactly. If they use magic as offense we break their spells. If they use magic to shield we pierce those shields.

Mira grinned. Now we are talking.

Thalen stepped closer. If you build such weapons you will shift the realm’s balance of power more than ever before. Are you prepared for that

Logan looked at the cracked wall of his forge then the smoke rising from the ruins the Silver Courts left behind.

He answered calmly. I am prepared for everything they force me to become.

Thalen nodded slowly. Then begin when you are ready. The Coalition stands with you.

Logan returned to the forge and stood in the center of the room. Dust swirled around him. Mira and Renn stepped inside quietly waiting for his next words.

He spoke softly. Today we rebuild. Tomorrow we evolve.